Wolves were wiped out of Oregon 70 years ago, but here's how they've existed in the state since returning.

Wochit

The number of wolves in Oregon is growing, but not particularly fast.

State biologists tallied a minimum of 124 wolves statewide last year, according to the annual wolf report released Wednesday.

A wolf of the Wenaha Pack captured on a remote camera on U.S. Forest Service land in northern ...more

A wolf of the Wenaha Pack captured on a remote camera on U.S. Forest Service land in northern Wallowa County.

Photo by ODFW

The number represented an 11 percent increase over the previous year, but only a growth of 14 animals since 2015.

Four wolves were killed illegally in 2017, and another five were killed due to conflict with livestock.

"The wolf population continues to increase in number and expand into historic range," said Roblyn Brown , Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife wolf coordinator. "It is unfortunate that several Oregon wolves were poached this year and we are deeply concerned about the poaching of wolves and other wildlife. However, the wolf population is still growing."

Wolves continued to expand their territory. A pair of resident wolves were documented in the Mount Hood area for the first time, meaning the apex predator has a foothold in every region of the state except the coast.

Oregon is home to at least 12 wolf packs, according to the report, including 11 that have a breeding male and female with at least two pups that survived the winter.

The actual number of wolves in Oregon is likely higher than 124. The count is based on visual observations, tracks and remote camera photographs, and is considered the minimum population, not an estimate, ODFW officials said.

"There are absolutely more wolves in Oregon than we were able to count," Brown said.

The vast majority of wolves remain in Oregon's northeast. Of the 124 counted, only 14 animals reside in Western Oregon, where they remain protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act.

The largest pack in Western Oregon is the Rogue Pack, led by OR-7, which totals seven wolves.

Map showing wolf pack locations across Oregon.

Map showing wolf pack locations across Oregon.

ODFW

Environmental groups said the report showed that Oregon's wolf population was stagnating, and that too many wolves were being killed by poachers or ODFW following conflict with livestock.

Twelve wolves were killed by humans in 2017. Four were killed illegally, five were killed due to livestock conflicts, one was shot in self-defense, another was killed "unintentionally" by Wildlife Services and one pup was killed by livestock protection dog.

"The wolf population is stagnant because poachers and ODFW agents are killing more wolves," Oregon Wild executive director Sean Stevens said. "It demands accountability from an agency that insists on killing more wolves every year."

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said in a news release that Oregon's wolf recovery was "encouraging."

"Despite this good news," Brown said, "ongoing issues of poaching and livestock depredation must be carefully considered as we explore more effective management and conservation practices."

(Story continues below)

Two members (one subadult and one pup) of the Catherine Pack on private property in eastern Union ...more

Two members (one subadult and one pup) of the Catherine Pack on private property in eastern Union County.

Photo by ODFW.

Highlights from the report:

— Despite the increase in wolf numbers, the number of wolf attacks on livestock decreased to 17 confirmed incidents, compared to 24 in 2016, according to the report.

— The number of wolves killed due to "chronic" livestock attacks grew to five wolves in 2017, including four from the Harl Butte Pack, and one from Meacham Pack. This week, a permit was issued that allowed the killing of two more wolves due to livestock attacks.

— Four wolves were killed illegally in 2017, including two in Western Oregon, where wolves remain protected by the federal Endangered Species List.

Three of those poaching investigations are ongoing with rewards for providing information ranging from $2,500-$15,000.

The fourth case, involving a wolf trapped and then shot in Union County, was prosecuted. The defendant was penalized with 24 months of bench probation, 100 hours of community service, a hunting/trapping license suspension of 36 months and a $7,500 fine paid in civil restitution to ODFW. He also forfeited the firearm and all trapping related items seized during the investigation and was sentenced to an additional $1,000 court fine.

(Story continues below)

The breeding female of the Walla Walla Pack captured on a remote camera on private property in ...more

The breeding female of the Walla Walla Pack captured on a remote camera on private property in northern Umatilla County.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors writer, photographer and videographer in Oregon for 10 years. He is the author of the book “Hiking Southern Oregon” and can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.